tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73632157969166605602024-03-05T14:00:27.027-08:00Cocktails by the BootThis is a site dedicated to the drinks, career, thoughts, and musings of Philadelphia based bartender, mixologist, and bon vivant, Benjamin Pozar.bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-84823421088992960642024-02-15T12:05:00.000-08:002024-02-15T12:05:32.235-08:00Review: Old Forester King Ranch<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsuD15h8e5F7AhbC2dg5ZAJONLO4hC_GKDLgCULwNoIaJsjSZTJiaFe2F_LLFW9hsC4qH0lBdZLDspZwPPD51UI1hQJ9AwOLO-3pqg_VCm93ZAAi5JdJhYwjFEAYmNZN1ivJsDdWFRQaBOan2F0Zl6ZQclYDMWPFtZAoheb43krChcrkbTizH7kMLwz9A/s335/download%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="134" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsuD15h8e5F7AhbC2dg5ZAJONLO4hC_GKDLgCULwNoIaJsjSZTJiaFe2F_LLFW9hsC4qH0lBdZLDspZwPPD51UI1hQJ9AwOLO-3pqg_VCm93ZAAi5JdJhYwjFEAYmNZN1ivJsDdWFRQaBOan2F0Zl6ZQclYDMWPFtZAoheb43krChcrkbTizH7kMLwz9A/s320/download%20(2).jpg" width="128" /></a></b></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Nice and dark with amber hues. Quite thin. 4/5<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Red fruits come in. Cherries and cranberry notes. Slight nuttiness with toasted marshmallow. alcohol remains quite present despite the filtration 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>Notes of toasted bread. Tobacco, leather, and dark chocolate in the back end. Pretty acrid and almost rusty metal. Not happy flavors. Very little sweetness for a straight bourbon, much more sharp. Raw black pepper, old leather, and lots of charred wood. The wood doesn't mellow out this whiskey, though. Very bitey. 12/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> There is a slight bit of that marshmallow right after you swallow it, but that heat and char quickly take over. It's a very long finish. Very dry. Not the most alcohol burn, but plenty of wood burn. 6/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is pretty intense. I wouldn't call this a regular daily sipper. I can see it pairing with campfires and cigars, but I like something more toned down. I hope a lot will come out when I try this with ice. The pungency of that wood makes any sweetness barely noticeable. The mesquite doesn't do Old Forester any favors. 14/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> The sweetness does come out more now that there is some ice in the glass. The finish is still really dry. Again, it could be a more pleasant smooth sipper. Minor improvement, but still not tremendous/ 16/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 69% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Amazing</span><span>, </span></span><span><span style="font-size: small;">Great</span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Good</b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tolerable</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $44</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $70</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This is a special edition whiskey that I do not see a need for. When a distillery makes a partnership, they obviously want to give their partner the ability to influence the final product. I'm told that Ford trucks are good products, but this whiskey doesn't deserve any awards. I see people buying this for brand loyalty or as a souvenir, as it is only available in Texas. I love Old Forester, but this could be a better showcase of their abilities in whiskey production. Try a pour if you see it; you don't need to commit to a bottle. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Filtered through mesquite charcoal</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">ABV: 52.5%</span></div>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-2826972058484512352024-01-25T14:17:00.000-08:002024-01-30T13:59:44.394-08:00Review: Traveller Whiskey Blend No. 40<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53_Wbb9CE8cQYdBDo7u0Cu665qApZ6NUJzfesA56GeR09bRYlKh0ML95cr9UbIBDtoVgnY4EUFaRW2cOB2htOHQKkgRFWxD0pdvG7JceBBmg6bpcz47B5gdQBRV3Nr81IVoSNkwHdFBnAkfY-2xThKv6lfiEu5rbNiKZEbmDGNHO7M6gxuXxdNuctcDT7/s1180/traveller-whiskey-750ml-bottle-brand-page-664x1365.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="418" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53_Wbb9CE8cQYdBDo7u0Cu665qApZ6NUJzfesA56GeR09bRYlKh0ML95cr9UbIBDtoVgnY4EUFaRW2cOB2htOHQKkgRFWxD0pdvG7JceBBmg6bpcz47B5gdQBRV3Nr81IVoSNkwHdFBnAkfY-2xThKv6lfiEu5rbNiKZEbmDGNHO7M6gxuXxdNuctcDT7/s320/traveller-whiskey-750ml-bottle-brand-page-664x1365.png" width="113" /></a></b></div><b>Color (5%):</b> A nice gradient of color. Deep thinning. Amber honey hues fading out. Looks young and thin. 3/5<p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Pretty mild as far as whiskeys go. Certainly some bourbon sweetness, but it's been blended out. Faint sweet cinnamon, vanilla, light maple/pancake syrup vibes. It's like someone ordered French toast two tables away. Very mild and doesn't smell like 90-proof. 6/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>Very average in every respect. There's no sharp sweetness or pungent spice. There's no smoke. There's a medium plus amount of oak. Blended scotch at least has a few interesting flavors you don't see everywhere. 9/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> Very short finish. No new developments. There is a bit of alcohol heat that you'd expect from a 90-proof spirit, but it is not unpleasant, though. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> I don't know what this is for. Only people who don't like the taste of whiskey would drink this. This is so mild. There is a bit of oak, implying that it has a bit more age than a usual blend, but there is so little other flavor. 9/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> Ice brings more oak. The sweetness seems to fade in comparison. It's easy. A bit grainy at the back end. This could work as a shot like Jameson in a country bar. 17/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 51% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Amazing</span><span>, </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Great</span><span>, </span><span>Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tolerable</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $17</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $33</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> It's strange to have a whiskey blend made by a reportedly sober musician and a distiller who gave his name to a vodka. In short, don't buy this. I got suggested it by a clerk at a liquor store. I saw that it was Buffalo Trace and thought I'd give it a shot. I will no longer be accepting recommendations from store clerks. They clearly have their own motivations. There is going to be a limited amount of demand for this product. You're not missing anything. Save your money and buy something that warms your soul because it is empty inside. It's inoffensive, but that's also saying it blends into the wallpaper. Pass. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">An interesting collaboration between Musician Chris Stapleton and Master Distiller Harlen Wheatly</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery: Buffalo Trace</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 45%</div>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-89605050505240777912023-12-21T13:41:00.000-08:002023-12-21T13:41:38.403-08:00Review: Weller Special Reserve Bourbon<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1FmOFxG8ZoT2zEm6MU-jxR6zWDcKIWsawsDyAf0w8HdBGMlaFE5ceRDPmCWSkT4GMw7iEUtimMZUfhI-7gslH-PuJRoG3Y7g96F5tstty_2WEOCdV0Wfrvg_kh1VuoVanH0R9bHS5FmFJpH1g8RDLoHeZAHuzRcxeE5hSuZcSolbd5_eui8GFqVeKg/s900/weller-special-reserve-wheated-bourbon-1ltr.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1FmOFxG8ZoT2zEm6MU-jxR6zWDcKIWsawsDyAf0w8HdBGMlaFE5ceRDPmCWSkT4GMw7iEUtimMZUfhI-7gslH-PuJRoG3Y7g96F5tstty_2WEOCdV0Wfrvg_kh1VuoVanH0R9bHS5FmFJpH1g8RDLoHeZAHuzRcxeE5hSuZcSolbd5_eui8GFqVeKg/s320/weller-special-reserve-wheated-bourbon-1ltr.png" width="128" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> medium copper. Quite a bit of thinning at the edges. Faint green notes through the yellows and browns. 4/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Beautiful nutty caramel. Toffee honey, all the sugars. Light oak. Easily manageable alcohol burn. Nice and soft. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>The sweetness persists. Honey, caramel, vanilla. There's a light hint of dark fruit coming in over the oak. It's not overly complex, but this is easy drinking whiskey. The wheat keeps this fairly neutral and easygoing. 17/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> Very mild on the finish. Spice is almost nonexistent. The sweetness stays throughout this experience, and the oak lingers when the other flavors fade. Easy drinking and pleasant, not overly nuanced, but so easy to drink. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This belongs on everyone's shelf. Any friend who comes over who has ever enjoyed a whiskey will be happy with this whiskey. It's an easy sipper; even when neat, there's no aggression or fire. This would be tasty and served neat, in spirit-forward cocktails, or drinks like sours. I like this in a julep. Nowhere near the complexity of some whiskeys I've had, but this has zero flaws. 27/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> Ice brings out the hidden spices and the oak. It makes it a bit more robust. The dilution may open up the oils. There are few changes, and no explosive innovations happen, but this stays good. 23/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 87% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Amazing</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Great</span><span>, </span><span>Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $40</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $25</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> Buy this whenever you can. In my market, it's relatively cheap. The first time I tried this whiskey, the bottle disappeared over a weekend between my wife and me. A few others in the wheated bourbon category compare to this whiskey, but they are a fair bit more expensive. This is allocated, of course, but it's one of the few I happen to hunt. I try others, but I keep coming back to this gem. When this isn't around, a few others serve this role, with Maker's Mark as a prime example. For the money, in my market, especially with a 1.75L costing less than $40 this is a great deal. That's basically the same price as Wild Turkey, and this is such an easy sipper and a treat for guests. On the secondary market, I do see this for over $60; don't buy that or pay any obscene restaurant prices for a pour. If you can get it close to MSRP, buy it. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery: Buffalo Trace</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 45%</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-36310841292640232612023-10-26T11:44:00.003-07:002023-10-26T11:44:38.512-07:00Review: Johnnie Blonde<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zI1wDRJI9KTtfjqFsdtMTrH2b6I4PyB0oWZ-qJzzj6oVTe4NzJjV_1azV52pAMVXe6aDfT5BM_RHPq0YBG1v1kfDGTXmWNahMCJD9XBHiqy_IpHFxDRK8CefajiEyXXwKFoUYmKiUoUkKtC6LQSZ-DkbkvbT121WhqCWeq0g4ZfkZ3PSFlaTV_l_mw/s2560/Johnnie-Walker_Bottle_750ml_Blonde_Front--scaled.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1054" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zI1wDRJI9KTtfjqFsdtMTrH2b6I4PyB0oWZ-qJzzj6oVTe4NzJjV_1azV52pAMVXe6aDfT5BM_RHPq0YBG1v1kfDGTXmWNahMCJD9XBHiqy_IpHFxDRK8CefajiEyXXwKFoUYmKiUoUkKtC6LQSZ-DkbkvbT121WhqCWeq0g4ZfkZ3PSFlaTV_l_mw/w101-h245/Johnnie-Walker_Bottle_750ml_Blonde_Front--scaled.jpg" width="101" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Very light, faint gold, no brown whatsoever. Faint greenish young hay hues. 3/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Lots of sweetness and fruitiness. Raspberries, crisp red apples, sweet corn/caramel corn. There is a bit of a young alcohol note, a bit sharp. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>Not as much red fruit on the palate as on the nose. There's more crispness of apple and pear. There's a faint, bready caramel pastry note coming through. Kind of crackery, bready overall, with some notes of red fruit. 16/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> A soft finish. The wheated nature comes through here, making it fairly easy to session. Apple and pear carry through that malic acid is prevalent, which is rare in Scottish whiskey. Alcohol burn lingers longer than the flavor. Reminds me of a young bourbon, and I don't care for either. 5/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is a little rough. There's a note of cardboard and cheap chewy crackers. There is some nice fruitiness, which might shine with some ice and soda water, but neat, this isn't exemplary. It's an experiment at best, and I don't mind a fruity scotch when talking about a port or sherry finish. But this is young and underdeveloped. I'm curious about mixing it, but this does not hold up in the neat scotch market. 18/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> The alcohol burn is still here. The raw, crisp apple shifts into a bit more softened baked apple. A bit more citrus character comes in. improved certainly. This is not a sipping scotch, but it could be mixed up in a way that does it justice. On its own, with assistance and supplement, this is better. 20/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 87% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Amazing</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Great</span><span>, </span><span>Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $40</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $25</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> The name Johnnie Blonde makes some sense here. It matches the hue of the whiskey and how unaged this "scotch" is. Making a budget scotch is tricky, and this tries to reinvent the notion of what scotch can be with the incorporation of wheat and that extra fruit character. This is not a well scotch. It's fine. It's not great, even for the money. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 40%</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-16174852642206772562023-10-09T13:52:00.000-07:002023-10-09T13:52:15.536-07:00Review: Ron del Barrilito 2 star<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8vmzdjmXlMlNkb7zUZQe5mM6bOCuBc2AYazQsmgcRS8EplDirq86GF2_Z6EfFk12bBUPApgdMv5j7z84sCp0xnc-7YgvDKfAJE1DPSrRyUS_J9qWdRZDIx2sBZ3g9nrxWqUcpDHBpwF0d_PExzIvHC1Y7UU288Dd9bEBP70A5kn9R44CP06EZ2Q8FLVH/s1536/cxzcm4agvnmiraaiqatt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="480" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8vmzdjmXlMlNkb7zUZQe5mM6bOCuBc2AYazQsmgcRS8EplDirq86GF2_Z6EfFk12bBUPApgdMv5j7z84sCp0xnc-7YgvDKfAJE1DPSrRyUS_J9qWdRZDIx2sBZ3g9nrxWqUcpDHBpwF0d_PExzIvHC1Y7UU288Dd9bEBP70A5kn9R44CP06EZ2Q8FLVH/w88-h281/cxzcm4agvnmiraaiqatt.jpg" width="88" /></a></b></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Light to medium body, with lots of thinning at the edges. Nice golden amber hue. There are darker aged rums, but this is on the younger side in used wood. 5/5<p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Lovely heather honey and leather notes hit me first. Dried fruits like apricots come out. Dark orange and purple colors. Woody nuttiness comes through, almonds. A bit of funk carries through. Alcohol isn't that hot, but it is certainly there. A bit of acetone sharpness. I'm not looking forward to trying this neat, but I'll stay open-minded. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>I expected it to be worse. There's a nice tobacco note. Caramel sweetness makes you think that sugars are added after distillation, but the brand claims that is false. Caramelized walnuts, cedar wood, roasted coconut, and peppery spice. It's a bananas foster profile. Pair it with some French toast, maybe some salted caramel. 17/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> It's a pretty hot burn. That banana funk does stick around. Lots of funky esters and alcohol burn. 6/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is a decent daiquiri rum. I wouldn't put this in the sippable aged rums. At a stretch, maybe with ice, but not neat. I see the cocktail application, but there are aged rums out there that fit the neat, sippable bill for me, and this is not one of them. It has a home in the mixing rums family on a tiki bar shelf, but I wouldn't use this for rum and cokes or straight sipping. Let this guy sit on the shelf unless you're an aspiring bartender who wants to learn about tiki. 21/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> Those funky notes pop out much more. Some of that caramel sweetness comes out. The oak and nuttiness fall away. It does get easier to sip. 22/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 79% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Legendary</span><span>,</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Amazing</span><span>, </span></span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Great</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $24</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $30</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This rum is fine. It's that nice funky banana gold rum that works well in cocktails. This is not a sipping rum, but it's easy to see beverage applications. Tiki cocktails could use this, and dessert old-fashioned cocktails with this in a split base. It'll probably take me a while to kill this bottle unless I'm intentionally depleting it. I might use it in a punch, but when I get home from work, I rarely want to put in the effort to make a complex cocktail. It'll be perfectly good for your cocktail needs but it needs other flavors to bring out the harmonies. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div>Distillery Location: Puerto Rico<br />Aged 3 to 5 years in white oak barrels that were previously used for aging Oloroso sherry<br />It's been made since 1804 by the oldest rum manufacturer in Puerto Rico<br />ABV: 43%</div>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-62595914192495495192023-09-23T13:29:00.000-07:002023-09-23T13:29:59.636-07:00Review: Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Solera Rum<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqNusni34XzCVQG7_zQ-HaPkWL_Him6PsO7V7ail9N6BgTdCv6dMJ9Q2kzqGvdPRbe1d5SPdt5QaJCFbWcuymCtcqR2BbM9ndDlqLzLnQQ9wk187yTdD9c2IoWhV5JFOrBBR3-Z4MlGy5KlnBw0iPmXTtqu0-Fv22JmWDSxiDJzSJ6vpgvxoQl_AsBg/s1500/download%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="750" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqNusni34XzCVQG7_zQ-HaPkWL_Him6PsO7V7ail9N6BgTdCv6dMJ9Q2kzqGvdPRbe1d5SPdt5QaJCFbWcuymCtcqR2BbM9ndDlqLzLnQQ9wk187yTdD9c2IoWhV5JFOrBBR3-Z4MlGy5KlnBw0iPmXTtqu0-Fv22JmWDSxiDJzSJ6vpgvxoQl_AsBg/w170-h339/download%20(1).jpg" width="170" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Very deep dark amber. Dark caramel. thinning to hay yellow at the edges. 3/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Nice brown sugary molasses sweetness. Nice purple dried fruits come through from those PX sherry casks, raisins, dates, and prunes. Faint spices come through, nutmeg and allspice. Mild oak comes through. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>Lots of sweetness, very sugary for an aged rum. I don't mean sugar flavor, I mean this is not dry, it is sweet. Artificial additives are allowed in rums and I suspect this is the case here. It's a dark caramel treacle sweetness. The fruit is less dried and more ripe or fermented. Notes of banana peel, powdered cocoa mix, walnut, dried orange peel, and bergamot. Not very much oak character. This is certainly used wood and it's not giving much fresh oak flavor. That bourbon doesn't present forward much at all. Fake caramel flavor and vanilla come through but toasted oak does not. 14/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> Lots of nuts and dried fruit. Lingering molasses. The booziness does linger in the throat for quite a while. It's not overly harsh it just sticks around for ages. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is a pretty complex rum. Waves of flavors come and go washing over you. This is a bit sweet for my own taste. I could see it mixing incredibly well in daiquiris and tiki drinks. This is okay to sip neat but it is just too sweet for a typical whiskey drinker like me. I can't give it full marks but it is pretty good. I prefer unadulterated rums typically. 25/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> That fake brown sugar flavor comes out even more over ice. Arguably worse than neat. I could see this rum in spirit-forward cocktails as a part of a split base with cognac or whiskey. That with some bitters could be nice. But when I don't like the sweetness and then the sweetness gets stronger. I feel like I'm going to get a headache from this. 17/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 75% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Amazing</span><span>, </span></span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Great</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $38</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $45</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> Unfortunately this rum has been sweetened and has a misleading age statement. This is a solera-style aged rum so there is a tiny bit of 23-year-old aged rum in the bottle but it's not all 23 years old. Most of this rum is about 6 years old from what I gather, which is fine. Rum doesn't have the same legal restrictions on age statements as scotch so they are often misleading. If you do your research on the product or innately know what solera means you might not be fooled but when someone sees the number 23 on a bottle they get excited, especially when it's reasonably priced. This is a solid C. It's not impressive or top-tier in the rum world but it's not a failure. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Company: Diageo</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Guatemala</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aged in American Whiskey and various sherry casks</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 40%</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-22242997977932942402023-09-13T09:30:00.001-07:002023-09-13T11:49:41.077-07:00Review: Smoke Wagon Malted Straight Rye Whiskey (Batch no. 11G)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsktoGkQ6tgIgZdicZ340hJPuKyeU8KPDkHUOtB7pPnoO5f8eKNCKG4XANEOIxds43-kNS_nusRq8CpkmZ8grw87xoQPo31jWAckgdkTUIIHdouGUS8SPgC-AzeRGwaekrqOIty4cHcKDXwxAVq3a8rgOOopDitV0WmsZWSTuCnb9f0GtnPSBOw55YDnb/s594/smoke-wagon-malted-straight-rye-batch-5a-11936-proof_1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="215" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsktoGkQ6tgIgZdicZ340hJPuKyeU8KPDkHUOtB7pPnoO5f8eKNCKG4XANEOIxds43-kNS_nusRq8CpkmZ8grw87xoQPo31jWAckgdkTUIIHdouGUS8SPgC-AzeRGwaekrqOIty4cHcKDXwxAVq3a8rgOOopDitV0WmsZWSTuCnb9f0GtnPSBOw55YDnb/s320/smoke-wagon-malted-straight-rye-batch-5a-11936-proof_1.jpg" width="116" /></a></div><br />C<b>olor (5%):</b> Medium thinning. Hay and faint copper. 4/5<p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> That does have that beautiful single malt nose that I missed from Red Brick. Awesome chocolatey notes over the freshly cooked barley. A bit of pepperiness from the rye comes around, but it's mainly chocolate-forward, which I love. The alcohol doesn't burn as much as expected from something so high-proof. There is a nice creaminess through it. 9/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> Wow, that is a lot of chocolate and overproof. There are better ideas for the day's first sip, but I'll adjust. Nice light caramel sweetness. There is a great creamy body. This is well-refined. The barley is definitely taking over from the rye side of this. I wouldn't guess this was a rye if I tasted this blind. But I love American single malts. 18/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> That burn hits you first and last, but in the middle, there is a sweet, creamy milk chocolate. I want to pair this with a salty dessert. That would really make this shine. There's a slight undertone of spice of cinnamon and pepper. Medium long duration. Nice and clean relative to the heat. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is quality stuff. It's been very well distilled. There's a great flavor coming from quality grains. I'm not getting a ton of aged character, but it obviously hung out in some wood with a decent char level but reasonable. They didn't overage it, and it's young enough. They landed in the sweet spot. This works great as an end-of-the-night slow sipper with some salted caramel chocolates on the side. I will be drinking this again. I promise you that. 27/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> Ice really mutes the nose. The chocolate fades away, and some peppered honey pops out. The rye starts showing its face once those roasted flavors shrink. A lovely creamy finish is still mixed with soft milk chocolate, but that roasted bitter cocoa is gone. I want to try this on a big rock and watch it transform as I go. 23/25</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 89% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>Amazi</span></span>ng</span></b>, Great, Goo<span><span style="font-size: small;">d</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $74</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $79</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> That 51:49 ratio confuses me. What's so important about being classified as a rye when you barely qualify. I can see a few rye elements coming through this whiskey, but it tastes like a single malt. It's quality stuff, misnamed. If you love porters, you will love this whiskey, so long as you can handle the strong stuff. I'm going to keep this bottle and share it with close friends. This is a special occasion sipper for me, and it likely merits discussion among enthusiasts. It's way better than the Uncut the Younger and arguably one of my favorite whiskeys I've tried so far this year. Definitely buy yourself a pour, or if you trust me, just grab a bottle. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">51% Rye, 49% Barley</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Las Vegas, Nevada H&C Distilling Co</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bottled May 18, 2023</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 57.92%</div>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-53263505658907896542023-08-24T12:28:00.002-07:002023-09-13T11:51:09.645-07:00Review: Smoke Wagon Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdH4q3fMF5qbpZ0ltHx-uhW7PmSKwRyQMjDTCfdgELs05Qn-NYDgOf5ltrher3bjOQ5_7Yf30O2d13oKS_kHs9dTLKxJKUI5cCdgchEeMUcr6GgxT-xCqRYhx_z_aFnGFkeDct62y3CUbMBKbnfrUy3d6wtaLeQ5MAfNS_WLYOtw0hERFR_ikfYlizA/s1280/Smoke_Wagon_Bottled_in_Bond_Straight_Rye__78319.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="403" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdH4q3fMF5qbpZ0ltHx-uhW7PmSKwRyQMjDTCfdgELs05Qn-NYDgOf5ltrher3bjOQ5_7Yf30O2d13oKS_kHs9dTLKxJKUI5cCdgchEeMUcr6GgxT-xCqRYhx_z_aFnGFkeDct62y3CUbMBKbnfrUy3d6wtaLeQ5MAfNS_WLYOtw0hERFR_ikfYlizA/w97-h306/Smoke_Wagon_Bottled_in_Bond_Straight_Rye__78319.png" width="97" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Light amber and hay hues. Very low thinning at the edges. 4/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> There's a nice rye spice and a big vanilla sweetness. That corn comes through in this rye. There's a bit of oak and cinnamon. Some orange peel comes in after some time. Nice and candy-like. Compared to the last few smoke wagons I've tried, the alcohol burn is all tolerable. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> The corn sweetness pops straight in there, a nice soft caramel. After all, corn is basically half the mashbill. I've tried the <a href="https://www.bootcocktails.com/2023/03/review-smoke-wagon-small-batch-straight.html" target="_blank">Small Batch</a>, the standard <a href="https://www.bootcocktails.com/2023/03/review-smoke-wagon-straight-bourbon.html" target="_blank">Straight Bourbon</a>, and the <a href="https://www.bootcocktails.com/2023/03/review-smoke-wagon-uncut-younger.html">Uncut The Younger</a>; this is the first rye in my portfolio. It's okay for a bonded rye. That menthol note pops in after a few sips but is less intense than other recent samples. The botanical notes are there but are milder: mint, pine, and green tea. Spice and oak are present but not dominant, with some faint cinnamon and allspice. 17/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> The finish is smooth. There's minimal alcohol burn for the proof. There's a nice cake frosting sweetness. Medium duration. A bit of cinnamon hangs around. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> I'd like more oak here. This one's a bit young. Also, it's 2% away from not being rye whiskey at all. This would be called the sweetest and easiest if this was in a flight of rye whiskeys. It could be a stepping stone for someone to go from bourbon into the world of rye, but there are better examples of a typical rye. It's fine. I'm sure people will like it, but it has only one aspect that will make it anyone's favorite. If offered, I'll happily drink it, but I would pick something else if I want a rye whiskey. 22/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> The sweetness from that corn really comes through when chilled down. A bit more allspice comes in. The mint gets milder but lingers a bit longer on the finish. Nothing elevated, but only a little was lost. 21/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 79% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Amazing</span><span>, </span></span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Great</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $44</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $65</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> Why pick this mash bill? 51% to 49%. There are many ways to stack flavors and layer in complexity and depth. Aging in Nevada heat is a new and experimental science, but this great distillery needs to do something to push the boundaries or excel at a price point that makes you wish they had dialed this in more. This whiskey is fine, but for $65, $70, even $80 in some markets, no. Smoke Wagon dipped its toe in the rye market, but they were not swimming with the champs here. I hope that they dial in a quality product, but this mash bill will never be the favorite of a rye lover, and at this price point, it won't be someone's new exploration at the bar, which brings in a new regular consumer. If you are offered this, try it. I don't need to spend the total price for a bottle or a glass. My favorite ryes are the ones that have been around for nearly a century or more, like Sazerac, or the ones that follow those roots but add a fun twist, like the Dad's Hat Port Finish. For the money, get something famous for their rye. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">51% Rye, 49% Corn, maybe 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% Barley. There is an issue with labeling specific batches.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Las Vegas, Nevada H&C Distilling Co</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aged at least 4 years</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 50%</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-48742303389981246122023-07-12T10:46:00.002-07:002023-09-13T11:52:28.772-07:00Review: El Dorado 3 Year Old<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n7crQ2-Io5eQufLbdr8R0e5-Rx3U0khvzhFaihap5ExYRUZutVfQ8x7UTw97EIm3nHG3tE7VZwYM-GgQGFt0giGIw6twqYkC9KlIEiQ3lak3KR6T1tLQ2ut-2r0-hWZx7mzg_e7-0J27UqYUBVewEOGWDG00iRw6agJJFe00lCiV3fL9Hv64qc-sMw/s540/1068179x.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="225" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n7crQ2-Io5eQufLbdr8R0e5-Rx3U0khvzhFaihap5ExYRUZutVfQ8x7UTw97EIm3nHG3tE7VZwYM-GgQGFt0giGIw6twqYkC9KlIEiQ3lak3KR6T1tLQ2ut-2r0-hWZx7mzg_e7-0J27UqYUBVewEOGWDG00iRw6agJJFe00lCiV3fL9Hv64qc-sMw/w110-h263/1068179x.jpg" width="110" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Totally clear, minimal legs. All color has been filtered away. I don't penalize for that when that is the intention, though 5/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Nice creamy coconut and vanilla. Dried fruits and cocoa. It's a nice, nuanced "white" rum. There's an aged character, but it's been muted to add complexity compared to unaged white rums. 9/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>Oh, that is interesting when served neat. Banana peel and candy sugar notes. White to light brown sugars. A bit of menthol comes through. It's a light-bodied rum in terms of alcohol burn. There's a bit of viscosity, but it's neither syrupy nor oily. Baked Girl Scout coconut cookies come in. It stays dry and fruity. It would go great in rummy cocktails: mojitos and the like. 18/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> Very smooth. Very quick finish. Very little alcohol sharpness. This is crazy clean for what is intended to be used as a white rum for mixing purposes. The filtration does the job very well to keep it approachable. 9/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is a complex "white" rum. Rum terminology regarding age statements, color, production region, spelling, and other variables must be clearer. This is an aged rum, but it's been filtered and thus has a clear hue, which could confuse some people. That said, compared to other white rums, this is a banger. Sipping a white rum neat is uncommon, but this isn't a struggle, and you can see how well it would work in cocktails. Mojitos would pop, as would daiquiris. I don't know how this would stand out in a complex tiki cocktail with other punchy flavors, but this can certainly shine, given the chance. 27/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> That body still punches. This nuance will not fade in cocktails. Again, who sips white rum straight? But this is plenty good, with lots of complexity. Menthol pops out a bit more, and so does coconut. That herbaceous quality pops in a big way. The sugars were never that prominent, but they don't fade away or become overbearing. 22/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 90% </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Legendary</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Amazing</span><span>, </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Great</span><span>, </span><span>Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $32</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $18</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> In my market, a 750 of Bacardi Superior costs about $15, with a 1.75 going for about $22. There's never an occasion to save that 3 dollars for that sacrifice of quality. If you are making jungle juice for a frat party. But even in a rum and coke, spend 3 bucks on this every time. I can't name a better white rum I've ever had, and this price point is more than reasonable. Buy it. That's it, buy it. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Guyana</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 40%</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-22390420787459960052023-06-30T11:39:00.002-07:002024-02-05T12:45:28.562-08:00Tornado through the Haystacks<div style="text-align: justify;">I've used this recipe for a few competitions, and it's always treated me well for preliminary rounds. This started with Diageo World Class but became a go-to at my regular summer gatherings. Most of my friends are whiskey drinkers, and in Texas, it's hard to drink whiskey outdoors in the summertime. You need to proof it down and make it a bit more refreshing. My drink is a lovely blend of oil, smoke, salt, and spice. That sounds like barbeque to me. Come over sometime. I'll make you a plate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomeaf-3yoI8Dhneg7nAmJ7GSYE4SvZHD5pBSJIaRjPKPj1K1NFnT2VhNenphvpCOIFV4kBoT6E75hR7U7kbpyTTf79aPeF0q0Wm3G_FGlM7TbWp7Pa55q_bZf3AdUUYgY15vZdRvHdSYIQf30O6zf5EMAfUcAzgoUfgPicjgwEUbEErCPyANZmaC0hA/s739/Haystack.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="736" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomeaf-3yoI8Dhneg7nAmJ7GSYE4SvZHD5pBSJIaRjPKPj1K1NFnT2VhNenphvpCOIFV4kBoT6E75hR7U7kbpyTTf79aPeF0q0Wm3G_FGlM7TbWp7Pa55q_bZf3AdUUYgY15vZdRvHdSYIQf30O6zf5EMAfUcAzgoUfgPicjgwEUbEErCPyANZmaC0hA/w294-h295/Haystack.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: left;">1 oz. Talisker 10 Yr Scotch</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">0.5 oz. Cocchi Rosa</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">0.25 oz. Citric Acid Solution</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">2.5 oz. Sparkling Mineral Water (preferably Topo Chico)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julienned Strips of Lemon Peel</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Add the scotch, vermouth, and acid solution to a mixing beaker. Peel an entire medium lemon with a julienne peeler (or use a Y peeler, then julienne with a small knife). Add a third of the lemon peel strips to a highball glass. Fill the glass halfway with ice cubes (preferably transparent), then add another third of the lemon strips. Completely fill the glass up with ice cubes and top with the last of the lemon peel. Add ice to the mixing beaker and briefly stir to chill the ingredients. Strain the drink into the prepared highball glass and top it with sparkling mineral water. Add a straw and serve. The final presentation of the drink should have dozens of little strips of lemon peel floating in suspension around the glass.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To make citric acid solution: </div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">Mix 94g filtered water with 6g citric acid and mix until the acid is dissolved and the liquid becomes clear.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I recently moved to Texas, and you know the first thing I did with my brother-in-law? We cooked brisket and drank some scotch. That's what you do down here. But barbeque takes a long time, and you can only continuously drink whiskey for some hours to smoke a good chunk of meat. Low and no-alcohol cocktails are a great way to keep cool while you're out in the Texas heat standing over a hot smoker. I love pairing whiskey with meat, especially a whiskey with a nice note of saline. Talisker has a beautiful flavor of the sea and the Isle of Skye. Talisker also has a pleasant oiliness that still comes through in this drink. It stacks with all the oil in the lemon peel gets accentuated by the saltiness, and gets carried throughout the glass via carbonation. The highball, like barbeque, started off incredibly simple in concept. Many people regard highball as a broad category, but historically, it's Scotch and Soda. Barbeque is just meat, smoke, and seasoning. Using the finest ingredients with the most straightforward techniques is how you make excellent cuisine. Barbeque needs to be low and slow to get to that fall-apart tender quality all the way through. A highball must be as cold as possible to keep its carbonation and not become overly diluted. </div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><p style="text-align: justify;">Fun Fact: We would not have seltzer or soda water were it not for the fourth Earl of Sandwich. The man accredited with popularizing slices of meat between bread was the backer of chemist Joseph Priestly. The Earl commissioned Priestly to create a method of forcing carbonation into water. He thought it might work as a cure for scurvy. Priestly succeeded in impregnating water with air and is credited as the father of the fizzy drink.</p></span></div>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-30524505282246556842023-06-15T20:52:00.001-07:002023-09-13T11:58:41.283-07:00Review: Bank Note 5 Year Blended Scotch<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHEFknj9KOF8-U29PjbBIxKmLibaKL36ZiiCH17dSPf6eMdWmoMOHTayzeHJ3YgYplMrlKcvW9bjMtVNbIikC-roYsXxt14eNaXn3egsvHGgUlVcCaCCccYiW8UMwnE5pV_STbADWEwCvtPcCm2rJ7sV_aNZq9843hjJCtFIldEnvditmF7sjziqKOA/s409/large%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="115" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHEFknj9KOF8-U29PjbBIxKmLibaKL36ZiiCH17dSPf6eMdWmoMOHTayzeHJ3YgYplMrlKcvW9bjMtVNbIikC-roYsXxt14eNaXn3egsvHGgUlVcCaCCccYiW8UMwnE5pV_STbADWEwCvtPcCm2rJ7sV_aNZq9843hjJCtFIldEnvditmF7sjziqKOA/s320/large%20(1).jpg" width="90" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> For a five-year whisky, this is quite light. Light golden hay. Quite a bit of thinning on the edges. 4/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Very bready and crackery. Notes of lemon peel with grass and hay. Light caramel toffee sweetness. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>Sort of a root beer quality. Very thin body, no oiliness or syrupiness. Lemon, nougat, black tea, some mild nuttiness, hazelnut. Inoffensive. There is no noticeable smoke to speak of, mild oak. Low to mild burn for 43%. Not unpleasant, but not exciting. 17/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> A pretty soft finish, very crackery and grainy. Lemon and black tea come through. That's an Arnold Palmer. a little bit of bitterness. Pool weather whiskey, eh? 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is boring and basic. It's not offensive, but won't make anybody's top 10. Vanilla, lemon peel, caramel, and bread. Okay, that's basically every whiskey, but with no individuality. There's nothing offensive, harsh, or intrusive, but why bother with average. Yes, it's cheap, but you deserve something with flavor. I'll give it to my houseguests I don't love, but I would only restock it occasionally. 18/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> More or less the same. The bitterness comes through a bit more. Sweet bread and brioche notes. No improvement. Nothing is lost unless it gets over-diluted. 16/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 69% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Amazing</span><span>, </span></span><span><span style="font-size: small;">Great</span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Good</b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $17</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $21</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This is well whiskey in a divey bar. There's no need to have this on your shelf. It'll impress no one and satisfy some. I'd be upset if someone offered me a scotch, and I got this. Yes, that sentiment is pretentious, but scotch is supposed to be a treat. My wife drinks vodka drinks, and I primarily drink whiskies. I spend much more money than her, but I've accepted that. I want to enjoy the flavors and experience. Nuance and character are essential when drinking spirits. This is fine for $20, but when you weigh it against all the scotch you see on the average back bar, this has no place outside the well. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 43%</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blended and bottled for Stanley Morrison & Sons Ltd. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">40% single malts to 60% scotch grain whisky</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-36118397103634594702023-05-31T12:52:00.002-07:002023-09-13T12:11:02.395-07:00Review: Roxor Artisan Gin<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93VowoyEKlaQDDoNiVp-peKVbxDu8aTH-WmFejA62Q8HRyOxkOO8-im_COPmfBs3XyR1GP5rOkkQLS_uxyOhb1Eyok6ZcW49MyklHAmj-nVmIlptRG2G3XMS00y320qqcM5GVizt8t72VkCSktXujQsq2QyK4kOz5Tm37cREbXHJbTd1BmHZuTta_JA/s807/t8527358nu.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="320" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93VowoyEKlaQDDoNiVp-peKVbxDu8aTH-WmFejA62Q8HRyOxkOO8-im_COPmfBs3XyR1GP5rOkkQLS_uxyOhb1Eyok6ZcW49MyklHAmj-nVmIlptRG2G3XMS00y320qqcM5GVizt8t72VkCSktXujQsq2QyK4kOz5Tm37cREbXHJbTd1BmHZuTta_JA/w104-h263/t8527358nu.jpg" width="104" /></a></div>C<b>olor (5%):</b> Water clear, no legs, no oils. 4/5<br /><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> <span style="text-align: left;">Lovely grapefruit notes. The bitter pith and the citrus oils balance quite nicely. There is some spice coming from the juniper. This is 90-proof, but it doesn't come off as hot. Slight tannic tea notes do appear on the back end. </span>9/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>Very clean. Nice and dry. There is almost no sweetness whatsoever on the tip of the tongue. Reflective of starting with grain-neutral spirit. It takes a second, but the citrus oil and spice start dancing in. They make themselves known without being overpowering and offensive. It's a delicate spice for a gin compared to the styles from across the pond. 17/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> That is dry on the back end. Lots of punch on that first sip, especially. Though I don't often drink gin neat. A few of those cocoa nibs show their face as those fumes dissipate. Some of the tannic hibiscus notes pop up as well. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> It's been a while since I sipped gin neat. This is quite enjoyable. I'd love to try this with a citrus-forward tonic like Fentiman's. This also would do well in a Collins cocktail. It's easy to see the application of this gin in cocktails across the board. How would it work in a martini with some super botanical vermouth or bitters? But with some acid, this plays extremely well with others. 27/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> The tea comes out a lot with a bit of ice. The citrus tempers out, and some of those earthy notes spring forth. You get the pecan nuttiness. This has helped me reevaluate my thoughts on cocktail applications. Which flavors do I want to compliment my drink design? The citrus was huge on the nose and tasted neat, but that switches to earth when well chilled. Interesting nuance and evolution. Nice. 23/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 87% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Amazing</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Great</span><span>, </span><span>Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $29</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $32</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This is a fun little gin I got to try on a United States Bartender's Guild trip. The New Artisan Distillery is in a cute industrial district with charming staff. The head distiller, Robert del Grande, is a James Beard-awarded chef based out of Houston despite the distillery being just outside Dallas. The flavor profile is fresh and vibrant. They openly advertise using fresh, natural ingredients in their gin and other products rather than relying on chemical extracts and concentrates. The sense of art and design showcased at the distillery and in the bottle design is truly impressive. The skyline building by Frank Lloyd Wright was a clear influence on the bottle design. In terms of the juice, it's pretty good. There's a very "American gin" vibe, being very citrus-forward and not overly spiced with juniper. This does exceptionally well for its category and is not excessively expensive. The advertisement of real plants seems unnecessary. As far as I'm aware, most small distilleries I tour use raw natural materials, though I may be a victim of marketing, I guess. This reminds me of Bluecoat and a few other American gin brands. If you're a gin drinker, I definitely recommend sampling this. Once the bottle is gone, I'm not sure if I'll restock, but I in no way regret my purchase. I'm wary of overly unique packaging as I know that cost is passed on to me. I like simple unless it's from a brand turning out high volumes of bottles they can buy in bulk. Knock the price down a few dollars, and I'd keep this in my rotation of gins. The juice is good. </div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery location: Dallas, Texas</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 45%</div>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-56465668265705433442023-05-16T11:51:00.003-07:002023-09-13T12:14:17.533-07:00Review: Grand Old Parr 12 Year<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvdtj_PlaePBxWxbvZc3QPQaACFlajI-tztteVPeUqbBIvs3PZBeZXDZB9na3dw8GCYUJBF1MPCBJuhZTMmXBrtiyJj0_fdLxd37Z_rIO68M-R75N8mTat3G_s_TTGHacFLm_aMZjEePQ77UEmChNWfDsjU7mo4jeSWugJqECljmV69TibOY3biFUpQ/s513/Grand_Old_Parr_12_Year_Old_Extra_Rich_Blended_Scotch_Whisky_750mL__57780.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="321" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvdtj_PlaePBxWxbvZc3QPQaACFlajI-tztteVPeUqbBIvs3PZBeZXDZB9na3dw8GCYUJBF1MPCBJuhZTMmXBrtiyJj0_fdLxd37Z_rIO68M-R75N8mTat3G_s_TTGHacFLm_aMZjEePQ77UEmChNWfDsjU7mo4jeSWugJqECljmV69TibOY3biFUpQ/w109-h176/Grand_Old_Parr_12_Year_Old_Extra_Rich_Blended_Scotch_Whisky_750mL__57780.png" width="109" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Beautiful amber and copper hues. Medium thinning. 4/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%): </b>Honeyed bread predominantly. There are some medicinal oily notes and nice dry oak at the end. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>Lots of honey sugars coming through. Medium full-bodied. Nice dried fruits and cooked fruits and orange notes. Some baking spices and lots of Christmas cake flavors coming through. Yummy sherry cask finish notes. Only a little, if any, peat but lots of oak heat. 17/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> Arid, oaky finish compared to the sweet palate. There is a bit of a bite to this. 6/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is an oaky whiskey for the price. Possibly too oaky for some, but I like it. There's some nice complexity to this blend. Honey, cooked fruit, and oak spice. There's a nice evolution as it goes through the mouth. It's not boring, and one note, but it's not the craziest thing ever. It is a blend, but this has more character than any budget scotch in the well. 24/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> Quite nice actually. The oak shrinks down a little bit, making it softer and easier. The honey strays throughout. The dried fruit gets a little muted, but it's still there. This is easy drinking for me. It's not too abrasive at all. 20/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 79% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span><span style="font-size: small;">Amazing</span><span><span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Great</b></span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>,</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $24</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $27</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This product has been around since 1909. It's owned by Diageo, and while it gets less marketing publicity than Johnnie Walker, this is a quality whiskey with quite a few loyal followers. It's widely popular in the U.S. and in Latin America, as well as some fans in Japan. I first heard about this whiskey from the anime/manga "Bartender." It's a delicious whiskey for the price. I'm curious to try the 18-year-old. Given this has so much oak, I'm curious what six more years in the wood does to it. The oak makes it a bit acrid, so I can only see it getting a little use in cocktails. A good drink would have to mute that oak character a bit, defeating the point of using this. But as a sipping whiskey, this certainly beats out a lot of other blended whiskies at this price point. Give it a go; it's worth the money. I was one point away from calling this amazing, but it's great. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 40%</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A blend of several distilleries (predominantly Cragganmore), blended and bottled in Leven, Fife</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-26207752073148944282023-05-04T11:18:00.001-07:002023-09-13T12:16:54.563-07:00Review: Clément VSOP Rhum Vieux <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yjgwW3FOTrpRlfYYrRg9xmtRxEFSK5w8Ug5gci-p2NPVoyqPrSBgSAlh4fOR6_3AkdChGWuqL_P1atmFIt7Do4Bl9_At3Re1ZpsyHDzko8DCMMIqhxAdW04bucCbyhxV9uExK5fnPkBZtX5nU_4EcY1OA9cRDXyrkPzqclygg8z5grdM6v8BIiBENg/s550/0001595_clement-vsop-rum-750ml_550.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yjgwW3FOTrpRlfYYrRg9xmtRxEFSK5w8Ug5gci-p2NPVoyqPrSBgSAlh4fOR6_3AkdChGWuqL_P1atmFIt7Do4Bl9_At3Re1ZpsyHDzko8DCMMIqhxAdW04bucCbyhxV9uExK5fnPkBZtX5nU_4EcY1OA9cRDXyrkPzqclygg8z5grdM6v8BIiBENg/s320/0001595_clement-vsop-rum-750ml_550.jpeg" width="160" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Very light, faint gold honey, no brown. Medium thinning at the edges. 4/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> There's a bit of salt. Lots of fresh sea air. Sweet notes of butterscotch. The sugar notes are more delicate. Dried fruits and orange marmalade 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%): </b>Nice and oily. Lots of orange coming through on the back end. Nutty, almond, and amaretto notes dance around. Some coconut milk slips in. Creamy butterscotch. Actually, it's dry in terms of sugar content. It's odd talking about sugary flavors and saying that it's not sweet, but that's how rum works. 17/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> The heat lingers for quite a while. Lots of grassy sugarcane flavor and lots of spice. It's dry in terms of sugar content. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> It's been a while since I sipped rum neat. This is quite enjoyable. I bought this for mixing in tiki cocktails, and it certainly is great for that, but it's decent on its own. I would like a bit more age here, but it's a tasty gold rum. Lots of complexity, a great body, and a great mouthfeel. 25/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> That's really nice. The spices come out a lot more. It's more punchy all around. All those oils open up to something big. I don't notice anything major being lost. This pops, and I want to have this in tiki cocktails. 23/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 84% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Amazing</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Great</span><span>, </span><span>Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $44</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $36</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> If you seek an excellent rum experience and education, try this. Rums are broken down into innumerable categories from color to country to age to language to the method of distillation to everything under the sun. Your best rum bartender couldn't narrow rum into fewer than 10 categories. Other rums within similar types will do the job in place of this in cocktails, but this boy has some depth of character. This will work in fruit-forward tiki drinks and in rum old-fashioned cocktails. With just lime juice and sugar, this will make a tremendous daiquiri.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I like an agricole, it has a serious earthy pure taste. It feels like nothing is hidden or masked. Finding an application for this rum is easy, but I can't give it a perfect score. I need help thinking of a rum that beats this one out in terms of friendliness and versatility for the cost, but it'll never be the best option for my applications for specific cocktails. If I were building a cocktail menu, I'd opt for cheaper rums for my builds, but If you want to explore the rum cocktail world, this is a significant investment that will meet so many of your needs. If you have yet to try it, buy it. Buy it early on. You will probably find a different rum that you will like a bit better for your own applications, be it neat or in cocktails, but this is a great benchmark to start at and develop a frame of reference from. I'm happy to have this on my shelf; it's an easy teaching rum. If you can be a mentor/guide for someone into the rum world, you should have this. </div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Country: Martinique</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 40%</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-71805256157584845312023-04-27T12:30:00.001-07:002023-09-13T12:19:04.404-07:00Review: Willett Family Estate Bottled Small Batch Rye<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMJKOQX5coW2U6egdSAOddeGIIhmuQ5s7DIfqslQvS2Y07Qb766EdqkvjlWLaREJ6Cm75ROEGpVv5DsQycQ-yNqtIgSX2bFto_keLqIQf8lJZBcjpWK_czT_55oC66FLeGMew0Utostwl1LgqAtGrFhPtmk9OYWzc7YqQ6NIfh_Vdsl1ht-BKEmJUKA/s620/WFE4Year_250x620xTransparency.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="240" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMJKOQX5coW2U6egdSAOddeGIIhmuQ5s7DIfqslQvS2Y07Qb766EdqkvjlWLaREJ6Cm75ROEGpVv5DsQycQ-yNqtIgSX2bFto_keLqIQf8lJZBcjpWK_czT_55oC66FLeGMew0Utostwl1LgqAtGrFhPtmk9OYWzc7YqQ6NIfh_Vdsl1ht-BKEmJUKA/w109-h282/WFE4Year_250x620xTransparency.png" width="109" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Medium amber, dark honey, hay hues. Medium thinning at the edges. 3/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> You can smell this one from 5 feet away. It is potent, and the rye is sharp. There are notes of pine and a good amount of oak. Crisp caramel sugars dance with apple and toffee. The rye is there; you get some of that deli rye bread scent. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> Big dried fruit notes on the back end. It has lots of raisin characteristics, almost like a port wine. There's a menthol character, and with the high alcohol, it almost feels like Vic's on your tongue. That sounds worse than it is. It has a slight green tea feel. Lots of green and purple. Very dry, with little sugar and tiny honey notes before the botanicals and spice kick in. 14/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> The alcohol is definitely there. The menthol and botanical notes fade into a bit of black pepper spice and toasted barley. Medium length. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This took some time, but I don't mind it. There's some complexity, but I prefer a bit mellow for an over-proof whiskey. This booze is hot. This brand makes some great bourbon, but this is pretty rough. I wouldn't call it anything too special. The age statement is pretty standard, and I want it to have more oak and char. It's got lots of flavors but needs a real sense of harmony. 21/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> The menthol stays the dominant note here. A bit more fruit starts to poke its head out. There are notes of citrus. I still want more oak. There is a mild improvement from neat, but not much really changes. 20/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 73% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Amazing</span><span>,</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span><span style="font-size: small;">Great</span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Good</b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $42</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $55</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This is okay. As I said, the bourbon these guys make is excellent, but this is a rough rye. It's an experiment that they slapped their branding unto. There's an upcharge for the name brand. There isn't much of a market for overproof rye whiskeys. Knob Creek or Russell's Reserve / Wild Turkey beat this guy in my book, especially for a rocks serve. It's worth a try if it's available, but this will probably sit on my shelf for a while. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet: </div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 54.9% (varies batch to batch)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mashbill: A blend of the Willett high rye mash bill (74% rye, 11% corn, 15% malted barley) with the Willett low rye mash bill (51% rye, 34% corn, 15% malted barley)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aged 4 years</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distilled at Willett Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky </div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-35243885369985784742023-03-27T14:00:00.009-07:002023-09-13T12:20:40.609-07:00Review: Smoke Wagon Uncut the Younger Straight Bourbon Whiskey<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT7ZDv_g9ivRNeuUJn2yTLuj2PjnjB7QHuFtyEGXX0UQ7qL-vXsOmdxtwAT0si19jiVhdgM49cwUD-JXEYdqA9VFB7oDP5-5wvHoLHXQnyQxck1ljP_To6vLmw8nkstVWoa9LJY_9GvVgxEwb75Z9miyapR8wuFOJcvZei1lhZe9GfVCSMWkeSbeYmA/s1280/picture__74403.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="375" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT7ZDv_g9ivRNeuUJn2yTLuj2PjnjB7QHuFtyEGXX0UQ7qL-vXsOmdxtwAT0si19jiVhdgM49cwUD-JXEYdqA9VFB7oDP5-5wvHoLHXQnyQxck1ljP_To6vLmw8nkstVWoa9LJY_9GvVgxEwb75Z9miyapR8wuFOJcvZei1lhZe9GfVCSMWkeSbeYmA/w88-h299/picture__74403.jpg" width="88" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Faint amber, dark honey, hay hues. Lots of thinning at the edges. 3/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Powdered sugar candy sweetness. Dried apricot, light sweet cinnamon. Rye spice reminds me of that dense Christmas fruitcake or panettone. Alcohol is very present, naturally. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> That is a complex, hot whiskey. A delicate honey sweetness starts you off, which gets a bit darker. Lots of cooked fruit, roasted apples, and pears. There's only a few oak compared to the other smoke wagons I've tried, the <a href="https://www.bootcocktails.com/2023/03/review-smoke-wagon-small-batch-straight.html" target="_blank">Small Batch</a> and the standard <a href="https://www.bootcocktails.com/2023/03/review-smoke-wagon-straight-bourbon.html" target="_blank">Straight Bourbon</a>. There's a fair bit of botanical flavor filling that oaky void. There's a mint characteristic to it. Very nice thick texture. 18/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> The alcohol is there, but you get used to it. The relatively high rye content gives a subdued sweetness and mild cinnamon spice. The roasted, toasted oak usually gets brought out, but we don't have that oak here, so the spice stays relatively mild compared to other bourbons in this category. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This took some time, but I do properly like it. It's complex and shifts on you as you acclimate to it. The booze hits hard, but you slowly pick out loads of different flavors from everywhere. A minty whiskey is interesting to me. I want to try this in a dry or perfect variation in Manhattan. Honestly, I don't love over-oaked bourbons, and this certainly doesn't fall into that pitfall. The alcohol is undeniable. Have water on hand. 27/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> The botanical finish comes out even more, reinforcing my desire to try this in a spirit-forward cocktail. The sweetness remains mild, possibly even less mild, which is unusual. The rye spices fade to mild from their medium intensity before. Honestly, it's a bit bland after trying it neat. 21/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 84% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Amazing</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Great</span><span>, </span><span>Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $52</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $42</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> Smoke Wagon admits to sourcing most, if not all, of its whiskey from MGP. Unfortunately, Smoke Wagon was too successful for its own good, and the demand has overtaken the supply. The juice that is Smoke Wagon's mash bill is starting to become scarce. So, they've started putting out a younger product under their banner to meet the market. This is a tasty whiskey that they should be proud of, but if you ordered something called Smoke Wagon and got this, you'd be upset. I understand this is their younger version, but if this was your first experience with the brand, you'd need clarification. If you got this in a flight, this would be an exciting component and likely a few people's favorite. This is an excellent deal for an over-proof whiskey at this price point. If you are a smoke and oak lover, this isn't for you but for me. I'm not sure I'd sip this neat regularly as a part of my rotation, but it's worth sampling.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Las Vegas, Nevada H&C Distilling Co</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aged a minimum of 39 months</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 58.11%</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-17782005264581950882023-03-24T13:59:00.003-07:002023-09-13T12:23:10.586-07:00Review: Smoke Wagon Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn9N-BMkGfmz8z1lbkkdQYXXgtHE5jJw_3C1-uyyGB8uuVZUWjJkB-3pwuPZSSPyQ-ZCccG8PqdhcPWyYOG3S4vzD6OTOnDGs0E1Xd3zCZqeNQ7SbvxvWF1AQ3Z5DopnmE4jCniGQClB3p7TkC9Yc6Up-ocykplbwPTO42UvTgXnvCPpjSwwAiyoNGA/s500/smoke-wagon-small-batch_1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="176" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn9N-BMkGfmz8z1lbkkdQYXXgtHE5jJw_3C1-uyyGB8uuVZUWjJkB-3pwuPZSSPyQ-ZCccG8PqdhcPWyYOG3S4vzD6OTOnDGs0E1Xd3zCZqeNQ7SbvxvWF1AQ3Z5DopnmE4jCniGQClB3p7TkC9Yc6Up-ocykplbwPTO42UvTgXnvCPpjSwwAiyoNGA/w88-h252/smoke-wagon-small-batch_1.jpg" width="88" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Dark amber, faint copper. Quite a bit of thinning at the edges. 4/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> nice sweet vanilla caramel notes, somewhat creamy, reminds me of a cow tail or one of those Gotze's caramel cream candies. Alcohol is certainly more present than their standard straight bourbon. There's a faint peppery spice if you look for it, but the sweetness is much more noticeable. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> Not much initial sweetness, but it does come through in the mid-palate. Very roasted back end, with notes of dark coffee. Heavy rye spice for a bourbon. Intense peppercorn, manageable but intense. Certainly not for beginners, but good for someone with a little experience. 17/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> This starts mild and slowly builds and builds. Dry oak and leather start us off before that rye spice takes over. That's a lot of rye heat. The flavor is there even for a 100-proof bourbon. There's a bit of sweetness poking its head through, but it is a big wall of spice. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is an intense, bonded whiskey. I typically don't care for overproof high rye whiskeys. But there is a soft sweetness layered through this spirit. I typically wouldn't pair this with most foods, maybe a robust cigar. It's over-spiced by my standards, likely due to the rapid aging in the Nevada heat. This style of rapid aging has become increasingly common, with many Texas distilleries taking similar approaches. As any Scotsman will tell you, "There is no substitute for time." I prefer their softer version; it has a bit more evolution on the tongue. 22/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> Ice again brings out the sweetness on the nose and mutes those boozy notes. I do think that ice helps the drinkability of this one. With ice, this could pair with a steak au poivre or a lamb curry. Ice mutes the flavor to a level of intensity I prefer. The finish smoothes to a softer bell curve of intensity rather than a harsh spike. 22/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 79% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Amazing</span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Great</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $60</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $52</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This is a delicious medium-tier bourbon. That $45-70 range has fierce contenders like Four Roses and Elijah Craig. This holds up as a rye-forward bourbon. It's certainly worth sampling, and I'm sure it'll make a few people's top ten lists, just not mine. High spice and alcohol bite aren't my go-to sippers, but it was excellent over ice. As I said before, it's an irony that this brand is sought after by hoarders and collectors. Its slogan, "Bibamus Moriendum Est," means "Drink, for we must die." Yet, so many bottles from this award-winning distillery will gather dust on some collector's shelf. If you find this bottle, open it, try it, and share it with friends. If you like it, get it again; if not, let someone else give it a chance. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Las Vegas, Nevada H&C Distilling Co.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 50%</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-68608645279974485822023-03-24T11:25:00.002-07:002023-09-13T13:00:20.820-07:00Review: Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyAFJXHyz8Xnm70M7J3MKHu-zZ6UYHBaCUawjfpK6rWVjUHM2TnWiIqWq06-DaQLJis4FFPUv0wsFGUJyv-OfkB6DFwdkwCTuR2SJ6PDpHjECzSQmVT0I0ML2wLc1mbhX9w5DN_vPrxxXkkml2k136B1_GJeaJRiNG0hDAl9KDjyDAxauj9xg7-McCg/s600/f95ba0a07ebe6b000113a1e42b47caaec1379be5.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="300" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyAFJXHyz8Xnm70M7J3MKHu-zZ6UYHBaCUawjfpK6rWVjUHM2TnWiIqWq06-DaQLJis4FFPUv0wsFGUJyv-OfkB6DFwdkwCTuR2SJ6PDpHjECzSQmVT0I0ML2wLc1mbhX9w5DN_vPrxxXkkml2k136B1_GJeaJRiNG0hDAl9KDjyDAxauj9xg7-McCg/w132-h263/f95ba0a07ebe6b000113a1e42b47caaec1379be5.png" width="132" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> light caramel to golden hay hues. Medium thinning at the edges. 4/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%): Nice</b> toasted aroma. Lovely punchy oak, light sweetness, not too much alcohol burn in the nose. It feels like a heavy age statement, though going off the color, it's relatively young. 8/10<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> Toffee caramel sugars immediately hit the tip of the tongue and wash over, bringing warm spices and soft vanilla. Much less toasted oak than comes through on the nose. Mild warming baking spices, nutmeg. Very clean mouthfeel, not quite creamy, but certainly not thin. It's not oily despite being non-chill filtered, but there's certainly a viscosity. Complex and elegant, I like it. 19/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> The finish is quite mild. As it passes down the throat, a swift punch of spice fades quickly and lingers for quite a long duration. It must be that nice rye content. 8/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is a very layered and nuanced whiskey. The flavor changes in the mouth from beginning to end. You can see why it has earned so many accolades and is sought after in the whiskey-collecting community. The other bourbons in the Smoke Wagon's portfolio are higher proof, but this does not come off as muted or over-diluted. This is an excellent sipping whiskey. I first had this at a lunch over Texas barbeque, which was exquisite. Given the scarcity of the product, I may have had some rose-tinted glasses on, but my family agreed on its quality without any background information. 27/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> Ice brings out the sweetness on the nose and masks many of the roasted flavors I was getting on my initial impression. Ice mutes the flavor a little bit, but not by much. It didn't really need softening any particular harsh edges. The finish stays punchy. 23/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 89% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Amazing</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Great</span><span>, </span><span>Good</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $48</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $30</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This is an excellent bourbon for the price point. By my standards, it beats out common brands at similar price points, like Bulleit. An irony of this brand is that it's sought after by hoarders and collectors. Its slogan, "Bibamus Moriendum Est," means "Drink, for we must die." Yet, so many bottles from this award-winning distillery will gather dust on some collector's shelf. Drink this whiskey. Consider that an order.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Las Vegas, Nevada H&C Distilling Co.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 46.25%</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-78106431672267148182023-03-08T21:08:00.001-08:002023-09-13T13:04:02.665-07:00Jager Bomb with a Hammer<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was a trick I decided to adapt for a small party I was throwing. These days, every cocktail enthusiast and their grandfather has a spherical ice mold. I saw a trend for hollowing them out and serving a cocktail inside the ice sphere. I just did my own variation.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/319frnL3XOL.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/319frnL3XOL.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You only need a little equipment for this. You'll need a freezer, naturally. You'll also need a heat source and a metal point to heat, though a soldering iron does the job brilliantly, provided it's clean. You'll also need a small funnel, though a syringe or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FPSSRGA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">meat injector</a> works a bit faster, and when dealing with ice, speed is critical. Lastly, you'll need a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ACTN54/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">spherical ice ball mold</a> that you can flip upside down and remain stable. I prefer the style pictured. The only other things required are the liquids, Jagermeister, and Red Bull. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://thesavvyeffect.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/ice-ball-cocktail.jpg?w=277" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="277" height="160" src="https://thesavvyeffect.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/ice-ball-cocktail.jpg?w=277" width="110" /></a>The basic premise is that ice freezes from the outside in. The trick is just stopping it before it freezes too much. Fill your ice ball mold with water, add the top half, and put it in the freezer. After an hour and a half, flip the mold over. This allows the ball to freeze evenly as different parts of the freezers have different temperatures. Also, any air bubbles and impurities would float or sink, throwing off the thermal conductivity. Otherwise, slices of the ball would be fragile and others very thick. After another hour and a half, remove the partially frozen ice ball. Bear in mind that these times are relative to what I find to be the average home freezer. You may need to extend the time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Rinse the outside of the mold with warm water, not hot, or you may crack the ice. Now, we need to hollow out the mold. Heat an ice pick or use a soldering iron to poke a hole in the top of the ice ball. Draining can be a tricky part. You can flip the ball over and drain it out, but it will take ages because of the lack of airflow. Using a meat injector seems to be the fastest way of sucking out most of the liquid. You can also use a straw and blow sharply into the ball to eject a good portion of the ball's water while it's upside down to drain it much faster. However, this technique isn't suited to a bar environment. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next, using a funnel or the meat injector, fill the ball with Jagermeister. Plug the hole with something that allows the ball to stay upright. A cherry with a pick through it works well, as could a coiled citrus twist. Add the ball to a large rocks glass and fill the glass with Red Bull. Serve with a small hammer to let the guest smash the ball open.</div>
bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-80508821899747202262023-03-08T20:25:00.005-08:002024-02-05T12:46:22.723-08:00Good Artists Imitate <p style="text-align: justify;">My cocktail is designed to pair with Mediterranean cuisine, primarily with a robust Italian basis. My aperitif is designed to pair with a lovely prosciutto appetizer with fig, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlp6TEEGEb-q_dTPOfTHjlmBkHwtfCu2FvXZ-VqtK4eLOIjDpMCUTwxvRr_dUnGLiDHpZLhSZXjautQSKVvxTFndJgI8vNNOtPncxmFlzn5zeaOxAZUU7mQrGKVRikBpBvbUfXbV7h64TUSVx3Rsc5pB33GjrRs3bFUB5J9CE1-JR7Ib5unM92f5uRw/s537/Aperitif.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="428" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlp6TEEGEb-q_dTPOfTHjlmBkHwtfCu2FvXZ-VqtK4eLOIjDpMCUTwxvRr_dUnGLiDHpZLhSZXjautQSKVvxTFndJgI8vNNOtPncxmFlzn5zeaOxAZUU7mQrGKVRikBpBvbUfXbV7h64TUSVx3Rsc5pB33GjrRs3bFUB5J9CE1-JR7Ib5unM92f5uRw/s320/Aperitif.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;">1 oz Tanqueray no. TEN Gin</div><div style="text-align: justify;">0.125 oz Poire Williams</div><div style="text-align: justify;">0.25 oz Elderflower Liqueur</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2.5 oz Sparkling Mineral Water (preferably San Pellegrino)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 small Sprigs of Rosemary</div><div style="text-align: justify;">12 julienned Strips of Grapefruit Peel</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Place the gin, elderflower liqueur, and Poire Williams into a wine glass. Add enough ice to fill the glass about a third. Add the rosemary and julienned grapefruit peel and give a quick stir. Fill the glass with ice and add the sparkling mineral water. Stir again to distribute all the ingredients evenly and beautifully. Add a straw and serve</p><p style="text-align: justify;">To make julienned grapefruit peel, carve off a couple swaths of grapefruit peel with a y peeler about 3 inches long. Then, use a knife to cut the swathes into thin strips. Conversely, you may use a julienne peeler, but they have a habit of getting jammed. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">One of my favorite flavor pairings is grapefruit with rosemary. Rosemary pairs incredibly well with pork and oily flavors, and I wanted to start with a dry cocktail to contrast the more decadent tastes of this first course. The extra citrus kick of Tanqueray no. TEN is a natural choice for an aperitif, given its botanical profile. The citric acid and carbonic acid of the sparkling mineral water help cut through the richness and help to stimulate the palate for the upcoming meal. Pear and fig are natural complimenting flavors that go with pork and have a mild floral component that pairs with elderflower and chamomile. I enjoy complimenting flavors with contrasting sweetness regarding food and drink pairing.</p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-60161575577055968102023-03-08T20:06:00.004-08:002023-09-13T13:08:55.864-07:00Review: Whistlepig Piggyback 100% Rye<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4ZQYByxpPrD5uSGHM9hwdDVvJa1zVVVn66hCT8-nSmMb9U87h4kp3SXf9oag-DoRfMZGkIxFL2uLdQmu0U4qhwXb6yic2S01PoXO5M16CCvzYeCWpqm3GDeSfK6lg98ihqf3llwKsQCM5lHQ5fYsuGwV83Cer4dP-HGK0sH2YGanJUz3HHyRwaD1qg/s1280/Whistlepig_rye_6_years__40088.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="474" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4ZQYByxpPrD5uSGHM9hwdDVvJa1zVVVn66hCT8-nSmMb9U87h4kp3SXf9oag-DoRfMZGkIxFL2uLdQmu0U4qhwXb6yic2S01PoXO5M16CCvzYeCWpqm3GDeSfK6lg98ihqf3llwKsQCM5lHQ5fYsuGwV83Cer4dP-HGK0sH2YGanJUz3HHyRwaD1qg/w127-h342/Whistlepig_rye_6_years__40088.png" width="127" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Faint light caramel to golden hay hues. Doesn't really thin out at the edges at all. 5/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> nice roasted aroma. Rye, baking spice, tobacco, peppercorn, heather honey. Fairly light on the aroma for the proof. Lightness is alright, but I expected more punch. 8/10<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> starts with light brown sugar sweetness. Dry oak, leather. It's a nice sweet and spicy whiskey, a good oaky note given the 6 years in a colder environment. Good for mixing in cocktails. Decent on its own. 14/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> A swift hit of spice that fades into a light, mild finish. Medium length. It's not a rough alcohol burn at all. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> It's not my favorite whiskey for sipping neat, but it seems perfectly good for sours or other cocktails. It's a balanced rye all around, but nothing exceptional in any direction. It's clearly made by a professional and doesn't have that harsh ethanol burn many whiskeys have had for me lately when I sip them neatly. It's very similar to other Canadian ryes I've had. 17/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> This makes it better. Things really start to come out in terms of spices. Much more bite and punch. It's still very clean, but the flavor is more pronounced. 22/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 73% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, Amazing, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Great</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Good</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $28</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $50</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> Dave Pickerell designed this whiskey for cocktails, and it is more budget-friendly than the more expensive Whistlepig options. I have extreme respect for the late Dave Pickerell. The thing is, it's still a pricey rye. I see how certain bars could use this for signature menu cocktail options as a promotion. In fact, my current place of employment uses this for one of their drinks at the $16 price mark. I wouldn't buy this at MSRP. It's okay, though there are better options for sipping at that price and cheaper options for cocktail purposes. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet: 100% Rye</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Vermont, source from Canada unknown</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 48.28%</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Age Statement: 6 years in American oak barrels</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-11968372853443077642022-10-18T10:32:00.002-07:002023-09-13T13:13:01.602-07:00Review: Early Times Bottled in Bond<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbr34lPCPlz4Rf_qmnQuGkK1i16FxEk0eWZCurrOmRm2L2QIT37MGRd_xqpHXbG70yUFQ_ECJoajAMv_Yhrrul1EX-C9IAhyw7DNMre51Z2Jl_VYUWcAIiUiMIHh5oL6rI-OXHTwM1yc1scsKWLONFpNMnTw2rPNpxUneQXVt7iLRxGeqLHXBOHRCXg/s2422/ET-BIB.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2422" data-original-width="731" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbr34lPCPlz4Rf_qmnQuGkK1i16FxEk0eWZCurrOmRm2L2QIT37MGRd_xqpHXbG70yUFQ_ECJoajAMv_Yhrrul1EX-C9IAhyw7DNMre51Z2Jl_VYUWcAIiUiMIHh5oL6rI-OXHTwM1yc1scsKWLONFpNMnTw2rPNpxUneQXVt7iLRxGeqLHXBOHRCXg/w91-h300/ET-BIB.jpg" width="91" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Very dark brown. Little crimson. Thin edges. 5/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Big orange peel note immediately. That decently big booze kick. Honey sugars. It requires a heavy draw to get much more subtle. I like orange, but nothing too complex or nuanced. 5/10<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> A bit of pepperiness from the rye. It still has some sweet orange character. Nice round, creamy texture. Pretty nice. It's not too wild and complex again, but it's hard to dislike. Nothing unpleasant at all. 16/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> Nice and creamy at the back. Medium-light finish. Very short. The pepper is there at first but only for a short time. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> 22/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> The creaminess is still there, which often fades out with dilution. It's alright, but it doesn't improve or eliminate shortcomings. It is fine, again, not legendary status, but fine. 20/25 </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 65% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, Amazing, Great, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Good</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $26</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $21 per Liter</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This is wonderful in a whiskey sour, especially in a New York or Stone Sour. This is an excellent well whiskey at many bars. It's not something I'd hunt for if I were looking for a Manhattan or an old fashioned. There are more fun options. This is fine for a whiskey coke. It won't be anyone's top ten, but it is good enough to do its function. This is still good for the money. It can find a home in many houses, but it isn't going on my display of great and legendary bottles for friends to experience. This is a well rail bottle at a pretty nice bar that can slot into most roles and not disappoint. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Louisville, KY</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 50% </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Age Statement: at least 4 years</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ingredients: 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Method:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Awards:</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-58617268365405553142022-10-03T21:25:00.007-07:002023-09-13T13:18:46.087-07:00Review: Wild Turkey Rye 101<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsqNi8AKH0SievRfqj5u7X5KzA3PfAvaWJXCci2hE64T7hEGRAH8a2nFjsmWqB6SHHZIBDKADj2i9gLHVC4P59wmOuh7RXKe-KWwBT4_3tkiv3nfVvzglWSVCfXc7aHKyFmG47UpRQcUeeQoW6ec_gWYj_3TURs-ddKsjGjSMWkbWqCo1Le-PCUqJxA/s1200/Wild-Turkey-101-Rye-750ml.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="381" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsqNi8AKH0SievRfqj5u7X5KzA3PfAvaWJXCci2hE64T7hEGRAH8a2nFjsmWqB6SHHZIBDKADj2i9gLHVC4P59wmOuh7RXKe-KWwBT4_3tkiv3nfVvzglWSVCfXc7aHKyFmG47UpRQcUeeQoW6ec_gWYj_3TURs-ddKsjGjSMWkbWqCo1Le-PCUqJxA/s320/Wild-Turkey-101-Rye-750ml.png" width="102" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Dark golden amber, thin edges, rich, well-aged. 5/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> high alcohol evaporation for sure. I'm diving in deep to warm myself up. HHonestly bland flavor notes at a first impression. Lightly roasted apple pie notes. Honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, pie crust, light brown sugar, butterscotch, but not so sweet, fairly middle of the road. Nothing intense other than the initial booze buzz, vin du table. 6/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> That's pretty good for the heat. Mild numbing heat, a big hit in the back of the throat, hard to do a session with but not bad as a slow sipper kissing the tongue. Not for glugging. Certainly suitable for mixing. It is a potent spike but rather monotone. 14/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> The heat is long. There's a great flavor at the start, but the heat lingers too long on the first sip. 6/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> Not something I'll be waiting for and savoring as a treat. That said, it does serve a function. It's a mixer, and certain notes can hold up in a highball or boulevardier / black Manhattan. I don't imagine any awards coming for it, but it has a home as a mid-tier spirit at the right price. 19/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> This does ease the painful heat of the first impression. As ice always does. Oddly, the burning finish lingers longer. Something about polyphenols, I'm sure. It's still an excellent mixer, but it lacks any nuance that I look for in a sipping whiskey or even a highball with soda. 16/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 66% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, Amazing, Great, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Good</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $29</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $21</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> It's still above average for some higher-proof stuff I've had. Definitely worth it for the money. But this is a mixing whiskey. It will not break out of that tier. Get the soda water and the Mountain Dew. It's also good in cocktails, as previously mentioned. It could be better, but it's good enough for bulk batches. It's a budget choice but a good one.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet: Straight rye</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Kentucky</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 50.5%</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Age Statement: aged in New Oak</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-53901511086263876792022-09-29T21:17:00.006-07:002023-09-13T13:22:20.174-07:00Review: Callisto Botanical Rum<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUn2cfX0XhBQoRb0xf6T4Tr5Yf0IoH00XgtAcw0_SxyvSjc5UozQie6PyDkcBPnn3nNajxh1bd26qEvWAgXU1K7xUX-_E-QGta2N-QWME6CaLKTM9SSXVr5xTWzi5kqMz5dLZWMz8VjIuhFpiJ7HGwaLvkNdJ0K5JvU14Y3h-JCGXZdQsLRD9CuKueA/s1122/5a2ca02557499bf0d38cefe72db0d9e74e855dd0.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="500" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUn2cfX0XhBQoRb0xf6T4Tr5Yf0IoH00XgtAcw0_SxyvSjc5UozQie6PyDkcBPnn3nNajxh1bd26qEvWAgXU1K7xUX-_E-QGta2N-QWME6CaLKTM9SSXVr5xTWzi5kqMz5dLZWMz8VjIuhFpiJ7HGwaLvkNdJ0K5JvU14Y3h-JCGXZdQsLRD9CuKueA/w154-h345/5a2ca02557499bf0d38cefe72db0d9e74e855dd0.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><b>Color (5%): </b>Water clear, slightly higher viscosity.<b> </b>4/5 <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> Yeah, that smells like gin. Not like a pine tree, but that citrusy botanical quality is huge. Bergamot, cardamom, and citrus peels. There are no licorice notes, no real pepperiness, and slight white floral notes. 9/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> Quite dry, albeit the sucrose flavor is there. It's gin but with a few undertones. It reminds me of some gins I've had using honey as a base or apples. It doesn't have the pepperiness of most gins, but as a "botanical gin," this hits the mark. 17/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> The spice character lingers for quite a while. But it's pretty dang clean. Not nuanced, but lingering and clean 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall impression (30%): </b>This is a non-juniper-forward, sugarcane-based gin. This is not a rum on the palate. Rum is sweet, it is dry, it is robust, it is nuanced. There are fruity notes in rum and floral. Rum can taste like cognac or whiskey, but when it tastes like gin, it's so mild that distillate belongs in the flavored spirit category. That's not a bad thing. I genuinely enjoyed this, but it's not a rum. Based on the marketing, I'll be docking points from an otherwise rather high score. 22/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%): </b>That gets a bit hotter with ice. The spice and the booze hit more, for sure. Certainly a step down. 16/25</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 75%</b></span> <span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, Amazing, </span><b>Great,</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span>Good,</span> </span><span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $42</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $39</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Conclusion: </b>The story could be more impressive. A Bermuda gentleman moved to California to have rum be taken seriously. It's not really the ambassador I'd expect, but the product is on point. For use in cocktails, this is a gin or akvavit substitute. I am curious to see how it fits in many classic gin drinks. But you wouldn't put this in a daiquiri and call it a daiquiri. A few tiki cocktails could be given some exciting nuance from this spirit, but they would differ from their standard. That all said, I do like this. It's tasty and well-made. The marketing/labeling could be more straightforward. It's a fantastic talking point bottle, and creative types can easily find inspiration for new cocktail inventions. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Petaluma, CA, USA</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 40%, 80 proof</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ingredients: California-sourced botanicals, a blend of charcoal-filtered rums from Trinidad and Nicaragua</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363215796916660560.post-15664713690352668692022-09-29T21:15:00.007-07:002023-09-13T13:23:56.726-07:00Review: Clyde May's Straight Rye Whiskey (Recipe No. 3)<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigwFQFsP4s2OkjYQMf8ceYdBLJLEixO9DYn4MnJfvvCW5zvlK5M8ounCacsPKzHYhj0bxKOg0ybEU4TXiKtBw1wCTaTGK-82g-ifU3eBAQwrzXLJ2F2Cs2tv1P0w_pEpgqWPxu62h13n8tmX4-sLnIAPyP6G7XSt-utcBzc1Bly96Oap9-jqbsNtgZg/s772/swe_new_hub211284.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="300" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigwFQFsP4s2OkjYQMf8ceYdBLJLEixO9DYn4MnJfvvCW5zvlK5M8ounCacsPKzHYhj0bxKOg0ybEU4TXiKtBw1wCTaTGK-82g-ifU3eBAQwrzXLJ2F2Cs2tv1P0w_pEpgqWPxu62h13n8tmX4-sLnIAPyP6G7XSt-utcBzc1Bly96Oap9-jqbsNtgZg/w112-h290/swe_new_hub211284.jpg" width="112" /></a></div><b>Color (5%):</b> Very light, hay hue, 3/5<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nose (10%):</b> light, faint spice, floral notes. 7/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Palate (20%):</b> still has a bit of oiliness, like the bourbon. Honey on the tip, light apple presents itself after a few sips. Nice rye bread spice. 14/20</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finish (10%):</b> quite hot, lots of alcohol burn. Some star anise. Could've used more time in the wood. 5/10</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):</b> This is a good young rye. The alcohol burn is harsh, even for the proof. A bit more time in the wood would clean that up, but it would take away some of the delicate spice balance. It'd be good with a little water or mixed, but it could be better to sip alone. I'm curious to try it over ice. 21/30</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Retry on Ice (25%):</b> The nose is still lovely. Lighter, weaker alcohol burn. doesn't add anything, but it does get rid of some roughness. 20/25</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Total Ranking: 70% </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary, Amazing, Great, Good, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Estimated Fair Price: $25</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actual Price: $35</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></b> This is a cocktail whiskey, not a sipping whiskey. Their website even recommends it in a perfect Manhattan. The dry vermouth would play well with the spiced floral character. That said, it sets a market cap for its utility. I can think of a few things to do with this, but above $30 a bottle is too high for something I want to avoid sipping straight. I'm curious to try their 8-year barrel selection and their Special reserve. You can skip the neat pour at the bar, but if a cocktail with it is featured on the menu, give it a shot. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Fact Sheet:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Distillery Location: Florida USA</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ABV: 47% (94 Proof)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Age Statement: 4 years</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Method: non-chill filtered</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Awards: 92 Points 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge</div><p></p>bootslofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109928983896586213noreply@blogger.com0